Hyundai

Elantra (CN7)

2021-2025 · Compact Sedan · 5 engines
Best Engine Recommended (4.4)
518 NHTSA Complaints
10 Recalls
2 Fire Reports
38 Crash Reports

Engine Reliability Comparison

T-GDI THETA II

2.0L Turbo
Recommended (4.4)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
1

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

KIA Optima (2011-2015)HYUNDAI Kona (2018-2023)KIA Sportage (2017-2022)HYUNDAI Elantra (2021-2025)KIA Optima (2016-2020)HYUNDAI Veloster (2022-2022)HONDA CR-V (2017-2022)HYUNDAI Santa Fe (2013-2018) +2 more

T-GDI GAMMA II

1.6L 4-cyl Turbo / 201 hp
Recommended (3.5)
23 complaints 5.8 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
7
electrical
7
engine
5
safety systems
4
other
3

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (7 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (7 complaints)
Engine Issues (5 complaints)

Also found in

HYUNDAI Tucson (2026-2026)KIA Sportage (2026-2026)HYUNDAI Kona (2018-2023)KIA Sportage (2023-2025)KIA K5 (2021-2025)HYUNDAI Elantra (2021-2025)HYUNDAI Tucson (2022-2025)HYUNDAI Santa Fe (2025-2026) +2 more

T-GDI Theta II

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 276 hp
⚠️ Caution (3.3)
36 complaints 9.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
9
electrical
9
fuel system
5
transmission
5
safety systems
5

Known Issues

Engine Issues (9 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (9 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (5 complaints)

Also found in

HYUNDAI Elantra (2021-2025)

GDI KAPPA

1.6L
⚠️ Caution (2.7)
137 complaints 27.4 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
43
safety systems
37
other
25
engine
22
transmission
19

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (43 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (37 complaints)
Engine Issues (22 complaints)

Also found in

HYUNDAI Elantra (2021-2025)HYUNDAI Ioniq (2017-2022)

MPI NU PE

2.0L 4-cyl / 147 hp
Avoid (1.3)
315 complaints 63.0 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
95
electrical
67
interior
49
other
49
engine
38

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (95 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (67 complaints)
Interior Issues (49 complaints)

Also found in

HYUNDAI Elantra (2021-2025)HYUNDAI Kona (2026-2026)HYUNDAI Kona (2024-2025)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Hyundai Elantra regardless of engine variant.

Safety Systems Issues (133 complaints)
safety_systems critical
Electrical System Issues (126 complaints)
electrical critical
Engine Issues (74 complaints)
engine critical
Interior Issues (49 complaints)
interior critical
Brakes Issues (38 complaints)
brakes critical

Recalls (10)

24V879000Nov 20, 2024serious
Back Over Prevention

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Santa Fe HEV, Elantra, Elantra HEV and 2022 Elantra N and Santa Fe PHEV vehicles. Due to a damaged printed circuit board, the rearview camera image may fail to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

24V308000Jan 4, 2024serious
Engine & Cooling

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Elantra, Venue, and Kona vehicles. An electrical short circuit may occur in the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve assembly, which can result in a loss of drive power.

23V526000Jul 26, 2023serious
Powertrain

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat.

22V354000May 18, 2022serious
Seat Belts

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Accent, 2021-2022 Elantra, and 2021-2022 Elantra HEV vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.

22V632000Aug 17, 2022serious
Air Bags

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Elantra N and 2022-2023 Elantra vehicles. The emblem on the cover of the driver's front air bag may not have been welded properly, which can result in the emblem detaching upon deployment.

22V123000Mar 2, 2022serious
Seat Belts

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Elantra and Elantra HEV vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front passenger-side seat belt pretensioner may explode upon deployment.

22V218000Jan 3, 2022serious
Seat Belts

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Elantra and 2020 Accent vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver and passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.

21V00M000Dec 27, 2021serious
Visibility

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata, and Elantra vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.

21V302000Apr 27, 2021serious
Seats

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Elantra vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat back recliners may have been improperly welded.

21V796000Oct 12, 2021serious
Seat Belts

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Elantra, Elantra HEV, Venue, Genesis GV80 and 2022 Genesis GV70 vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.

Alternatives in Compact Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2021-2025 Hyundai Elantra problems?

The 2021-2025 Hyundai Elantra has accumulated 518 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Safety Systems, Electrical System, Engine. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Hyundai Elantra engine is most reliable?

The 2021-2025 Hyundai Elantra was offered with 5 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.0L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2021-2025 Hyundai Elantra a good used car?

The 2021-2025 Hyundai Elantra can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 518 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021-2025 Hyundai Elantra have?

The 2021-2025 Hyundai Elantra has 518 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2021-2025 Hyundai Elantra?

There are 10 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2021-2025 Hyundai Elantra vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Hyundai Elantra?

Before buying a used Hyundai Elantra, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Safety Systems, Electrical System, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 518 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-06.

© 2026 The Weekly Driver